Tahoe National Forest Alert
Alert! Little Truckee River and other important wild trout fisheries impacted by Tahoe National Forest Plan.
The Tahoe National Forest recently released their Draft Environmental Impact Statement for motorized travel. Roads are by far the largest cause of habitat loss and poor water quality. The outcome of this plan directly affects our local fisheries!
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is part of the National Environmental Policy Act, and is a process that federal agencies must follow when making modifications to their existing management plans, or in this case, creating an entirely new plan. Public opinion greatly influences the final decision and implementation of the DEIS.
Specifically, the Tahoe National Forest (TNF) is considering adding motorized routes along the west bank of the Little Truckee River (between Stampede and Boca Reservoirs), both sides of Prosser Creek (below Prosser Dam), and routes that penetrate Castle Peak and West Yuba Agency Inventoried Roadless Areas, into its final motorized system. The TNF is also considering keeping Boca, Stampede, and Prosser Reservoirs open below the high water line, as OHV play areas. If things remain status quo, we will continue to see habitat loss and decline in fishing opportunities. These routes are not formally adopted into the National Forest Transportation System as of yet, and California sportsmen have a very good chance at stopping their continued use.
Tom Quinn, Forest Supervisor for the Tahoe National Forest, will make a final Record of Decision regarding Route Designation in early 2009. The public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement ends December 26, 2008. Urge Supervisor Quinn to implement the “Preferred Alternative 6” with specific amendments to protect coldwater fisheries (described in detail below). Public input accounts for the majority of the decision Tom will make, so please, submit your personal comments.
Specific Routes to eliminate and amendments to the Preferred Alternative 6:
1) Little Truckee River; TKN-M3, unmarked hill climbs
2) Prosser Creek; TKN-M1, season of use
2) Castle Peak IRA; TKN-J4, TKN-J5,
3) Boca, Stampede, Prosser Reservoir Open Areas; Prohibit unrestricted motorized use below high water lines.
Every one of the aforementioned motorized routes and open areas cause significant damage to riparian zones and aquatic dependent species, such as wild and native trout, as well as penetrate important roadless headwater areas. These routes create dust and noise, lead to impacted water quality and user conflict, both of which are inconsistent with most anglers’ desired experiences when fishing in the Tahoe National Forest. Sportsmen have an unprecedented opportunity to formally retire motorized use on these motorized routes and regain ownership of the Little Truckee River, Prosser Creek, Castle Peak and West Yuba IRAs, and Boca, Stampede and Prosser Reservoirs. Take the time to urge Tom Quinn to protect the last, best places we have to hunt and fish.
Talking points for your own personal comment letter to Forest Supervisor Quinn (feel free to cut and paste):
1) Little Truckee River
· Trail TKN-M3, which was proposed for addition into the National Forest Transportation System in the Proposed Action, is the cause of all OHV use along the Little Truckee River.
· Trail TKN-M3 cannot be added to the System if the exceptional Little Truckee fishing experience is to remain intact.
· We’re only asking that motorized use be eliminated from 3.5 miles of river (Stampede Reservoir to Boca Reservoir).
· Riparian areas and aquatic dependent species are particularly vulnerable to adverse impacts from OHV use
· The Little Truckee River is a world class wild trout fishery and must be given higher protection against impacts from OHV’s.
· OHV use on the Little Truckee River has grown exponentially in the past 5 years.
· New user created trails and illegal “hill climbs” located along the river and in the meadow are growing at an unprecedented rate.
· Top two threats to the Little Truckee River were identified as flows and motorized use.
· The Little Truckee River meadow has a long history of fishing, hunting and bird watching and should be kept non-motorized to protect this quiet recreation experience.
2) Prosser Creek
- Prosser Creek is a gem in the Tahoe National Forest, and unnecessary motorized use should be prohibited.
- Currently, there are two ample access points, one on the west side of the creek and one on the east side. More routes are simply unnecessary.
- Dispersed motorized use from the adjacent Prosser Pits open area must be stopped.
- Trail TKN-M1 has created spur routes along the east side of Prosser Creek and is heavily used by motorized users, negatively affecting the fishing experience.
- Season of use must be changed from May 1st to December 31st, to April 1st to December 31st to allow access for the start of general fishing season on Prosser Creek.
3) Castle Peak Roadless Area
· Castle Peak is an incredibly important headwater area. Castle Peak forms the headwaters of the South Fork Yuba River, Sagehen Creek, Prosser Creek, and the Little Truckee River.
· The southern boundary, where certain roads exist and two specific routes are being proposed, is predominantly a quiet recreation area.
· The hike to the top of Castle Peak is one of the most popular non-motorized hiking trails in the Tahoe National Forest. This experience must be protected.
· The two trails proposed to be added cross perennial streams and impact sensitive meadows.
4) Boca, Stampede and Prosser Reservoirs
· Allowed open OHV use below the high water line on all three reservoirs has resulted in wide spread damage.
· This not only affects water quality, it also significantly increases the amount of sediment that collects thus reducing the lifespan of these reservoirs.
· “Mudbogging,” a form of motorized recreation that takes advantage of wet surface conditions, causes the most damage, especially to important food sources for trout, such as midges and chironomids.
· A strategic access plan is needed for these three reservoirs to provide access to the shoreline for anglers and watercraft, while eliminating “open OHV play areas” to reduce environmental impacts.
The Forest Service does accept form letters, or generic template letters that only require a signature, but only counts them as one comment. That means 2,000 form letters signed by 2,000 different people will only count as 1 comment. Trout Unlimited has chosen to avoid this by providing the information above for concerned sportsmen so that comments can be developed on behalf of individuals. If you are unwilling or unable to provide comments on your own behalf, contact Trout Unlimited (information below) for a sample letter.
Comments about the DEIS can be sent to: tnf_rte_desig@fs.fed.us
Contact Trout Unlimited Field Coordinator David Lass at dlass@tu.org to help protect these beloved fishing experiences.